You Can Stay in Airstream Trailers In This Boutique California Hotel

Airstream travel trailers have, in their eighty years of continuous production, remained true to their classic streamlined appearance—all riveted and polished metal, rounded edges, and efficient ship-like interior packaging. But these icons of modern design have recently had something of a renaissance, fitting into our contemporary desire for authentic American construction (the trailers are built in Ohio), for our often illusory notion of freedom, and for the blending of the retro-classic with the futuristic.

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Matt Alberts/Caravan Outpost

Now, a boutique hotel has opened in Ojai, California—a destination mountain resort town about ninety minutes north of Los Angeles—that repurposes new and vintage Airstream trailers as private rooms. Caravan Outpost is located near the center of town, on a private, landscaped property. Here, eleven trailers of varying capacities are set up like the hour markers on a watch, with a historic 1912 former equipment storage shed positioned at twelve o’clock. This tin-roofed shack houses the office, the hangout lobby, the gift shop, and the concession stand, a combination that reflects the Airstream’s multipurpose uses and acts as a kind of souk for this caravan.

Matt Alberts/Caravan Outpost

“When were setting up this place, we were really motivated by the creed of Wally Byam, the founder of Airstream,” says Branden Peak, one of the co-owners of the hotel, along with five friends who met on the snowboarding scene in Colorado. “And that was, I’d always rather be traveling in an Airstream than selling someone one. Always on to the next adventure.” Peak also praises the trailers’ durability, both as a design icon and as a consumer good. “These things are made of aircraft-grade aluminum, so not only are they cool to look at, they’re built to last. Fiberglas on other trailers breaks down, non-riveted walls come apart. Airstreams are just sound.”

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Matt Alberts/Caravan Outpost

The trailers on site are often in flux, being bought from or sold to guests or friends. “People just reach out to us. They see the property and they want to buy, sell, or trade,” Peak says. (That transitory caravan motif again.) But the current selections range in length from 19 to 30 feet, and in age; the oldest one dates from 1959, and the newest, the Tommy Bahama special edition, is from 2017. They each accommodate two guests in dedicated beds, and some have room for kids in convertible beds as well, and go for nightly rates of $239 to $299 per night.

Matt Alberts/Caravan Outpost

The trailers all feature complimentary WiFi, luxury bedding, air conditioning, bathrooms and showers, and little semi-private patios on the side. (Additional private shower and restroom facilities are also available on site for folks who like to be able to move their arms when they bathe.) Dogs under 40 lbs can be accommodated for a $40 cleaning fee.

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Matt Alberts/Caravan Outpost

The hotel provides a fleet of Public brand cruiser bikes for guests to use free of charge, and bike trails abound in the area. Yoga, tai chi, and meditation classes are offered, there are outdoor movie nights, and special musical guests appear sporadically on warm weekend evenings. The trailers come with fully equipped kitchens of varying sizes and capabilities, and guests are welcome to cook in their trailers. There’s a lovely market just up the road, and the bikes have big wicker baskets, if you don’t want to drive or Lyft. Or there’s snacks and wine provided in each cabin, if you just want to pregame before heading out to one of the many local restaurants that the helpful owners are happy to recommend.

Matt Alberts/Caravan Outpost

“I’ve been living in an Airstream full time for four years,” says Peak. “And it’s really taught me something about living smaller, being aware and in command of my footprint. I have a full solar array in mine, along with a ten-stage water filter, and a composting toilet, so I can live totally off the grid. I don’t expect everyone to go that far after a few nights here, but we can expose them to ideas that they can introduce in their daily life.”

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Matt Alberts/Caravan Outpost

The entire property can also be rented out for private events—like a wedding or a birthday party. Big tables can be set up in the central courtyard, and local catering can be brought in for groups of 30 to 100. So bring some friends. Or all of your friends. Spending the night in a classic Airstream is like traveling without going anywhere.

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